William Hurst

William Hurst, son of Joseph and Mary (Bowers) Hurst was born in Edgerton, Lancashire, England, January 8, 1838, and departed this life at Roberts, Illinois, Wednesday morning May 21st, 1924, aged 86 years, 4 months and 11 days. He was the ninth in a family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters. The sister younger than he, Hannah Hurst of Harvey is the only one of the family who survives him.
Mr. Hurst's father was a bookkeeper for a cotton manufactory but when William was nine years old the family came to America and settled at Gloucester where the father died three years later. After his death the mother came west and William worked on a farm for the mother until 24 years of age when he began life for himself. On February 13, 1867, he married Miss Mary Jane Roberts, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Roberts, who survives him. To them were born five children. the only son, Walter, died at the age of 15 years. The daughters are Mr. Elizabeth Kennedy of Roberts, Mrs. Hannah May Miliard of Beardstown, Mrs. Cynthia Reinhardt and Mrs. Mary Elsie Gray of Springfield. There are twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. There was also one adopted son, George Kramer of Belvidere.
Mr. Hurst cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for president and has been a consistent republican since. He served many years as school director and was a friend of education. He was also a great lover of music and his children were given the advantages of a musical education.
Mr. Hurst's parents were members of the Friends Society (Quakers) and he was reared in that faith. After coming to Illinois he became a member of the Congregational Church and he and Mrs. Hurst have held membership in the Roberts Congregational Church for forty year. He was deacon and for many years deacon emeritus of that church. During the 66 years they have lived in Lyman Township and 33 years in Roberts he has made many close friends who join the family in sorrow. He has proven himself an honorable man whose word once pledged was never broken. To him a promise made was a pledge that would be fulfilled exactly at the time agreed upon.
He was a strong healthy man and kept up well. His health began failing some months ago but hardly sufficient to keep him confined to the house until the day before his death.
The funeral services were held at home Friday Afternoon, May 23rd, at 1:30 o'clock Rev. Jeannette O. Ferris and John T. Killip officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery.
Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Carl Reinhart, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rieffer, Dr. and Mrs. William Gray and Frank Kennedy of Springfield, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Miliard and daughters Mary Jane and Betsy of Beardstown, George Kramer of Belvidere, Mrs. Prierce and son and daughter Edward and Fanny of Chatsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Talbot and Miss Nellie Talbot of Chicago.

--Roberts Herald.  28 May 1924.